The Department of Highways aims to seek an additional budget of 14.3 billion baht to cover the cost of land expropriation for the Bang Yai-Kanchanaburi motorway construction project, department director-general Thanin Sombun says.
The budget was initially set at 5.4 billion baht but the latest request would take it to 14.3 billion baht, he said.
The project delays have been blamed on an insufficient budget as the department has been unable to hand over all of the land to the companies that have been contracted to build the motorway.
When finished, it will benefit trade and tourism in all parts of the country by boosting the logistics network as Thailand hopes to become a transport hub in the Asean region, said Mr Thanin.
Construction of Special Highway No.81 is only 6% complete, putting it considerably behind schedule, he said.
He added the department would accelerate construction work so it is ready for use by early 2021 at the latest.
Another new motorway called Special Highway No.6 that stretches from Bang Pa-in to Nakhon Ratchasima is about 32% complete, putting it slightly ahead of schedule, Mr Thanin said.
It will be completed by July 2020 as planned, he added.
